All our best password manager picks come in free versions, which usually lets you securely store passwords for one device (although our pick for best free manager can be used across multiple devices). With a password manager, you can have a unique and strong password for every secure website. We've evaluated two dozen of the best password managers to help you choose. Random Password Generator is a useful utility for creating custom passwords to meet different specifications, either individually or in bulk. And because random passwords are generally harder to.
Random Password Generator is a useful utility for creating custom passwords to meet different specifications, either individually or in bulk. And because random passwords are generally harder to remember, the program also includes a Password Manager to keep track of all of your log-in information.
Pros
Clear interface: No matter how much experience you have with these types of programs, you'll have no trouble finding your way around this app. There are three tabs across the top of the interface, one each for Password Generator, Password Manager, and Change Password. All entry blanks are clearly labeled as well, so you'll quickly understand what needs to go where.
Generation options: When it comes to generating new passwords, you'll have a lot of options in this program. The Password Generator screen offers check boxes for including small letters, capital letters, numbers, and punctuation. You can also select the desired length of the password and input how many passwords matching the specifications you'd like to generate at once, from one to 100.
Cons
Manual entry: The Password Manager feature requires you to enter the log-in information for each account you want to save individually. You also have to enter the information manually into the websites each time you want to log in. This makes it really more of just a place to list all of your passwords that's a bit more secure, rather than a full-featured manager program, many of which can automatically record your log-ins as you enter them and autofill forms whenever you need.
No Help file: There is no Help file available to go with this program. While it's not likely you'll need it, since the interface and functions are pretty straightforward, it's nice to have a reference available if you do run into trouble.
Bottom Line
Random Password Generator performs its main function well. It generates passwords quickly and to your desired specifications. If you want a full-featured Password Manager as well, you may be disappointed with what you find here, but overall it's a good free option for increasing the security of your account log-ins.
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Random Password Generator is a useful utility for creating custom passwords to meet different specifications, either individually or in bulk. And because random passwords are generally harder to remember, the program also includes a Password Manager to keep track of all of your log-in information.
Pros
Clear interface: No matter how much experience you have with these types of programs, you'll have no trouble finding your way around this app. There are three tabs across the top of the interface, one each for Password Generator, Password Manager, and Change Password. All entry blanks are clearly labeled as well, so you'll quickly understand what needs to go where.
Generation options: When it comes to generating new passwords, you'll have a lot of options in this program. The Password Generator screen offers check boxes for including small letters, capital letters, numbers, and punctuation. You can also select the desired length of the password and input how many passwords matching the specifications you'd like to generate at once, from one to 100.
Cons
Manual entry: The Password Manager feature requires you to enter the log-in information for each account you want to save individually. You also have to enter the information manually into the websites each time you want to log in. This makes it really more of just a place to list all of your passwords that's a bit more secure, rather than a full-featured manager program, many of which can automatically record your log-ins as you enter them and autofill forms whenever you need.
No Help file: There is no Help file available to go with this program. While it's not likely you'll need it, since the interface and functions are pretty straightforward, it's nice to have a reference available if you do run into trouble.
Bottom Line
Random Password Generator performs its main function well. It generates passwords quickly and to your desired specifications. If you want a full-featured Password Manager as well, you may be disappointed with what you find here, but overall it's a good free option for increasing the security of your account log-ins.
A password manager is an essential part of your online security arsenal as ever more software and services move to the cloud.
If you reuse the same login credentials for multiple sites and services, just one security breach or successful phishing attack could leave them all vulnerable, and simple passwords that are easy to remember are often equally easy to crack.
A password manager solves both these problems, generating complex, unguessable passwords for your accounts, storing them all in an encrypted vault, and filling out login forms for you automatically.
Some password managers and generators store your encrypted login info on your hard drive, while others will upload your details to their own servers, enabling you to access them from any internet-connected device. With this list, we’ve gathered the best of both worlds in order to bring you a comprehensive list of the best password managers you can use today.
1. LastPass
Free, secure password creation and storage for all your accounts
Automatic form completion
LastPass comes in two different flavors – free and premium. Either will generate and store any number of different logins in a secure vault that’s protected by your master password, with multi-factor authentication for added security. This includes hardware authentication via YubiKey for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android.
The free version of LastPass also offers secure storage for text notes, syncing of credentials across browsers, and access to your secure vault from any internet-connected device via LastPass.com. It will refuse to autocomplete forms on known phishing websites, and you can export your data at any time, if you decide to switch to a rival password manager.
The premium version adds secure cloud storage for files, advanced multi-factor authentication, and the ability to set up a contingency plan so your loved ones can access your accounts in an emergency.
The only downside of LastPass is its popularity, which makes it a popular target for criminals, but exploits are rare and there haven't been any cases of users' encrypted logins or master passwords being stolen.
For sheer convenience and ease of use, LastPass is hard to beat.
2. Dashlane
Random Password Generator Free
Superb password security for all web browsers and devices
Automatic form completion
Dashlane is LastPass's closest competitor and, like LastPass, it's completely worth checking out, featuring one-click password generation, world-class security, breathless ease of use and ability to store notes for future reference.
It’s not just a Windows desktop program either; there are browser plugins and mobile versions, and similar to LastPass there's a premium version of Dashlane that includes unlimited sharing and syncing.
Dashlane Premium costs $39 (about £30, AU$50) per year, but the free version features all the essentials: you get the core password manager, autofill and digital wallet features, all of which work flawlessly. Don't settle for LastPass without trying Dashlane first, and vice versa.
Plus, if Dashlane’s newly announced Project Mirror works out, we might see a future where we never have to deal with pesky passwords again.
3. Keeper Security
The tight level of security that your passwords deserve
Good browser extension
Not the fanciest design
When you're protecting your passwords, the most important factor is always going to be security. Keeper Security isn't winning any awards for style or design but when it comes down to protecting your passwords, its security is one of the best out there.
Keeper is actually one of the oldest password managers around. It claims to use a proprietary zero-knowledge security architecture, AES 256-bit encryption and is the most audited and certified product on the market. What that means in simple talk is that this is a highly protected piece of kit.
Keeper offers services from password managers to a dark web scan and private messaging systems, not just protecting your passwords. And while Keeper's main target audience is big companies and organisations, it also offers plans for students, families and personal accounts.
Experience is easy on both desktop and mobile but due to its high-level of security it doesn't allow for the use of pin codes to enter - a good or bad factor depending on your view!
4. RoboForm
A superb desktop password manager with free mobile apps
Stores unlimited logins
RoboForm claims to be the best password manager in the world, and not unreasonably so. After a recent update, they’ve added support for storing a limitless amount of logins in the free version. It also boasts application logins, secure storage of notes, multi-platform support, and the ability to gain emergency access.
RoboForm Everywhere allows you to sync across devices, cloud backup and the ability to gain emergency access yourself. If you decide to buy a premium license, it’ll cost $19.95 or £15.95 (about AU$25) for one year, $49.95 or £39.95 (about AU$65) for three years, or $74.95 or £59.95 (about AU$95) for five years. There are also family subscriptions available for up to five users.
RoboForm might not be able to claim the same robust feature lists as their rivals, Dashlane or LastPass, but it's a very good password manager regardless and the free mobile apps are fantastic. Its password generator is particularly strong, allowing you to exclude similar characters and specify which special characters you need to meet specific password requirements.
Roboform is available for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android, and is a good option for anybody who wants a simple and secure way to sync passwords between laptop, desktop and mobile platforms.
5. KeePass Password Safe
A customizable password manager for more experienced users
Expandable via plugins
It isn't the most aesthetically pleasing password manager in the world, but KeePass Password Safe offers robust security, multiple user support and downloadable plugins to expand its feature set.
KeePass's secure password generator can produce logins suitable for those annoying sites with very specific requirements, and clearly indicates any options that might make the generated password weaker.
The password manager features a portable installation, allowing it to run from USB without installing on a PC, it can input from and output to a wide range of file formats, and there are tons of customization options to play with.
The fact that KeePass Password Safe is open source means anyone can inspect the code for potential weaknesses, which means that any security issues can be identified and fixed quickly. It's a great app, if a bit intimidating for beginners.
6. Sticky Password
Password management from the experts behind AVG Antivirus
Cross-platform
Sticky Password comes from the team behind AVG Antivirus, so you can be sure that security is its top priority.
Random Password Generator Norton
There are two editions of Sticky Password: free and premium. The premium edition adds cloud syncing and backup and costs $29.99 or £19.99 (about AU$40) a year. There's also a lifetime license available for $149.99 or £96.99 (about AU$200) – an option not offered by any other premium password manager.
Both versions of Sticky Password include a generator that can create secure logins for you while you're registering for new online accounts. It's straightforward to use, but doesn't offer as many customization options as the other services here.
The app works on PC, Mac, Android and iOS, supports fingerprint authentication on mobile, is available as a portable USB version and offers lots of sync options including Wi-Fi syncing with local devices.
Browser extensions are also available for Firefox, Chrome, Opera and Internet Explorer, but not Edge.
Password Generator Download
7. Iolo ByePass
A pared-back version of Iolo's premium password manager
Clear interface
The full version of Iolo ByePass is a powerful password manager that includes two-factor authentication, syncing across devices and platforms, encrypted storage for credit card details, the ability to clear your browsing history and close open tabs remotely, and lots more.
The free edition (which you can install by entering your email address without an activation key here) is much more basic, only handling your logins, but it's still an excellent tool and is compatible with Chrome, Edge, Firefox and Safari.
Like all the best password managers, it can generate unique, secure logins for your accounts, eliminating the risks associated with reusing passwords. Unfortunately, the free edition only allows you to secure five accounts. It's perhaps best seen as a trial for the feature-packed full version of ByePass, so you can decide whether it's the right tool for you before making the investment.
8. Firefox Lockwise
Secure storage and syncing for Firefox across multiple devices
Automatic or manual sync
Firefox Lockwise is an unusual password manager. It's available as a mobile app and desktop browse extension, and allows you to securely sync login details between desktop and mobile devices using your Firefox account.
For the time being, Lockwise doesn't work with the Master Password feature that's already built into Firefox for desktop, but Mozilla says the two will be combined in a future update. It's also worth noting that although Lockwise can store, sync and autocomplete passwords for you, it can't generate new ones.
Lockwise will only be useful if you use Firefox as your main browser on all of your devices, but if you do, we highly recommend it.